Video: Skateboarder accuses LAPD of excessive force

A skateboarder claims he was punched and left with broken bones and a concussion

By PoliceOne Staff

LOS ANGELES — A skateboarder claims LAPD officers used excessive force during a weekend incident in Venice caught on tape.

Xavier University sophomore Ronald Weekley Jr., 20, was stopped Saturday afternoon when officers saw him riding his skateboard on the wrong side of the street. LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith says the officers approached him to talk about the traffic violation.

"Our officers write hundreds of traffic violations, citations every day in the city of Los Angeles," Smith told NBC Los Angeles. "This was just another one of them."

In the video, several officers are seen on top of Weekley, who claims he was not resisting arrest. He says he was punched and left with broken bones and a concussion.

Weekley was arrested on charges of interference and several outstanding misdemeanor warrants. He was treated at the hospital and reportedly consulting with a lawyer Monday.

LAPD said if Weekley was resisting arrest, officers were justified to use force, including punches. They asked that judgement be withheld until the investigation is complete.